Is the Future of Transportation Electric?

These resources and articles are becoming increasingly common. What a difference four dollar gas has on things, eh?  Off for a shower and an e-bike down to the local cinema for an "Iron Man" showing. Reviews have been positive, mostly.

All About Electric Motor Scooters - Blogger

Albert Hutzler III of Palm Beach Attracts Attention in Zenn Electric Car - Palm Beach Daily News - 03 May 08

"Foreign Affairs, primarily a seller of pre-owned foreign luxury cars, began selling electric vehicles in January, according to business development director Jonathan Ortiz. The product line includes the Vetrix scooter, the Zenn and the ZAP Zebra, a utility pickup truck

"Every vehicle that has four wheels has to comply with crash standards," Ortiz said. "Since (Zenn) doesn't have air bags, it is limited to 25 mph."  The ZAP truck reaches 40 mph and the Vetrix scooter 62 mph, Ortiz said.

Ortiz said Zenn Motor Co. plans to release City Zenn, an updated version with air bags that will have a top speed of 80 mph.  "This will be a fully compliant, highway-capable car," Ortiz said.  His dealership will carry the car, set for release in the fall of 2009.

An anticipated breakthrough in energy storage technology will allow the City Zenn to travel up to 250 miles between charges, Ortiz said. The City Zenn will use a solid-state ultracapacitor instead of a lithium battery for power, he said. Ultracapacitors use electrostatic energy storage."

Gas Prices Hit $4, ZAP Electric Car Deliveries Top 700 - CNN.com - 16 Apr 08

"Experts talk about many ways of saving gas, but electric vehicles have shown to be very cost-effective compared to gasoline. Your average gas fill-up can cost over $60, yet a vehicle like the ZAP recharges for about 60 cents. Typical customers are homeowners and fleet operators. More power companies and public utility companies are offering off-peak metering plugs that can save even more."

Is the Future of Transportation Electric?

These resources and articles are becoming increasingly common. What a difference four dollar gas has on things, eh?  Off for a shower and an e-bike down to the local cinema for an "Iron Man" showing. Reviews have been positive, mostly.

All About Electric Motor Scooters - Blogger

Albert Hutzler III of Palm Beach Attracts Attention in Zenn Electric Car - Palm Beach Daily News - 03 May 08

"Foreign Affairs, primarily a seller of pre-owned foreign luxury cars, began selling electric vehicles in January, according to business development director Jonathan Ortiz. The product line includes the Vetrix scooter, the Zenn and the ZAP Zebra, a utility pickup truck

"Every vehicle that has four wheels has to comply with crash standards," Ortiz said. "Since (Zenn) doesn't have air bags, it is limited to 25 mph."  The ZAP truck reaches 40 mph and the Vetrix scooter 62 mph, Ortiz said.

Ortiz said Zenn Motor Co. plans to release City Zenn, an updated version with air bags that will have a top speed of 80 mph.  "This will be a fully compliant, highway-capable car," Ortiz said.  His dealership will carry the car, set for release in the fall of 2009.

An anticipated breakthrough in energy storage technology will allow the City Zenn to travel up to 250 miles between charges, Ortiz said. The City Zenn will use a solid-state ultracapacitor instead of a lithium battery for power, he said. Ultracapacitors use electrostatic energy storage."

Gas Prices Hit $4, ZAP Electric Car Deliveries Top 700 - CNN.com - 16 Apr 08

"Experts talk about many ways of saving gas, but electric vehicles have shown to be very cost-effective compared to gasoline. Your average gas fill-up can cost over $60, yet a vehicle like the ZAP recharges for about 60 cents. Typical customers are homeowners and fleet operators. More power companies and public utility companies are offering off-peak metering plugs that can save even more."

Colbert and Mr. Peak Oil

This one courtesy of greenparty.  Unlike a lot of energy folks, I'm not too wound up about peak oil as such.  There will be plenty of oil but at a price.  As the price goes up, as in the past, the supply will expand.  If it stays up, alternatives will start to take the place of petroleum for many of its current uses. 

That being said, this clip is about James Howard Kunstler ("Mr. Peak Oil") who has a new novel about what happens if peak oil does start to cut into daily activities.  I don't plan on reading it but Colbert is always fun so here we go...

( Video behind cut . . . )

Colbert and Mr. Peak Oil

This one courtesy of greenparty.  Unlike a lot of energy folks, I'm not too wound up about peak oil as such.  There will be plenty of oil but at a price.  As the price goes up, as in the past, the supply will expand.  If it stays up, alternatives will start to take the place of petroleum for many of its current uses. 

That being said, this clip is about James Howard Kunstler ("Mr. Peak Oil") who has a new novel about what happens if peak oil does start to cut into daily activities.  I don't plan on reading it but Colbert is always fun so here we go...

( Video behind cut . . . )

"Iron Man" Review

I really liked it on a variety of levels and would give it a two thumbs up.

( Minor spoilers, if any . . . )

"Iron Man" Review

I really liked it on a variety of levels and would give it a two thumbs up.

( Minor spoilers, if any . . . )

More Uranium Shortages and Nuclear Plant Capacity Loss in India

Of course, none of this could happen elsewhere as the reanimation continues. Right?

Govt: Uranium Shortage Has Hit N-Power Plants - The Times of India - 04 May 08

"The government has finally admitted that India’s nuclear power plants are operating below capacity, and with declining profits."

"This, the government said, had led to declining profits for Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). NPCIL profits have declined from Rs 1,717 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 964 crore in 2007-08. The capacity utilization of the power plants too have reduced significantly from their previous 63% and in many cases are at 40% or less.

The uranium shortage is also a real problem and with the nuclear deal increasingly facing a bleak future, India’s uranium options are severely restricted."

More Uranium Shortages and Nuclear Plant Capacity Loss in India

Of course, none of this could happen elsewhere as the reanimation continues. Right?

Govt: Uranium Shortage Has Hit N-Power Plants - The Times of India - 04 May 08

"The government has finally admitted that India’s nuclear power plants are operating below capacity, and with declining profits."

"This, the government said, had led to declining profits for Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). NPCIL profits have declined from Rs 1,717 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 964 crore in 2007-08. The capacity utilization of the power plants too have reduced significantly from their previous 63% and in many cases are at 40% or less.

The uranium shortage is also a real problem and with the nuclear deal increasingly facing a bleak future, India’s uranium options are severely restricted."

Wind-Hydrogen Combo Proposed in Oz

Sounds similar to what they're going to be trying up in Minnesota.

Hydrogen Plant Proposals Fail to Blow Away Concerns Over Wind Farm Project - Sunday Herald (AU) - 04 May 08

"AN AUSTRALIAN RENEWABLES START-UP is hoping to deflect local opposition to a wind farm currently under consideration by North Ayrshire Council, by applying to build a hydrogen plant that would allow it to feed electricity into the grid even on calm days.

In a £60 million project in the 70,000-acre Clyde Muirshiel regional park, the Sydney-based firm Wind Hydrogen has patented a scheme for using wind power to produce hydrogen which can be stored and converted into electricity when there is no wind.

The company claims that the linked developments would overcome the problem of wind power intermittency, and if built would be the first such project in the world."

Wind-Hydrogen Combo Proposed in Oz

Sounds similar to what they're going to be trying up in Minnesota.

Hydrogen Plant Proposals Fail to Blow Away Concerns Over Wind Farm Project - Sunday Herald (AU) - 04 May 08

"AN AUSTRALIAN RENEWABLES START-UP is hoping to deflect local opposition to a wind farm currently under consideration by North Ayrshire Council, by applying to build a hydrogen plant that would allow it to feed electricity into the grid even on calm days.

In a £60 million project in the 70,000-acre Clyde Muirshiel regional park, the Sydney-based firm Wind Hydrogen has patented a scheme for using wind power to produce hydrogen which can be stored and converted into electricity when there is no wind.

The company claims that the linked developments would overcome the problem of wind power intermittency, and if built would be the first such project in the world."

Heavy Water CANDU to the Rescue?

Continuing reports of high-quality large forging shortages in the nuclear industry. Too bad CANDU has a history of can't-do in Ontario.

Nuclear Revival Bumps Against Atrophy - The Star - 03 May 08

"Osaka-based steel-making giant Japan Steel Works Ltd. makes much more than traditional swords of the kind used by noble warriors of the country's pre-industrial Edo Period. The company is also the world's only maker of ultra-large forgings, a crucial component in the construction of most new nuclear reactors. These forged parts, made from steel ingots weighing up to 600 tonnes, – equivalent to 100 African elephants – have 30-centimetre-thick steel walls able to withstand the immense pressures inside a nuclear reactor's core. They also keep dangerous radiation from escaping to other areas of the plant or the surrounding community."

"Sharon Squassoni, a nuclear expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told members of U.S. Congress during testimony in March. 'Ultra-heavy forgings for reactor pressure vessels and steam generators constitute the most significant chokepoint.""

"But one reactor design's pain may be another's gain. AECL, the federal Crown corporation hoping to sell at least two of its Advanced Candu Reactors in Ontario, doesn't require any ultra-heavy forgings for its heavy-water reactor design."

Heavy Water CANDU to the Rescue?

Continuing reports of high-quality large forging shortages in the nuclear industry. Too bad CANDU has a history of can't-do in Ontario.

Nuclear Revival Bumps Against Atrophy - The Star - 03 May 08

"Osaka-based steel-making giant Japan Steel Works Ltd. makes much more than traditional swords of the kind used by noble warriors of the country's pre-industrial Edo Period. The company is also the world's only maker of ultra-large forgings, a crucial component in the construction of most new nuclear reactors. These forged parts, made from steel ingots weighing up to 600 tonnes, – equivalent to 100 African elephants – have 30-centimetre-thick steel walls able to withstand the immense pressures inside a nuclear reactor's core. They also keep dangerous radiation from escaping to other areas of the plant or the surrounding community."

"Sharon Squassoni, a nuclear expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told members of U.S. Congress during testimony in March. 'Ultra-heavy forgings for reactor pressure vessels and steam generators constitute the most significant chokepoint.""

"But one reactor design's pain may be another's gain. AECL, the federal Crown corporation hoping to sell at least two of its Advanced Candu Reactors in Ontario, doesn't require any ultra-heavy forgings for its heavy-water reactor design."